Adjustable mail-distributing case.



IIII. 7l4,220. Patented Nov.-25, I902.

H. F. 'W. MOHR.

' ADJUSTABLE IIII II. DISTRIBUTING CASE.

(Application filed June 7, 1902.

- m: noun 5 PETER! no. v-norouma, wnsmus'ron, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT O FIC HENRY F. W. MOHR, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE MAIL-DISTRIBUTING CASE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 714,220, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed June 7. 1902. Serial No. 110,569. (No model.)

to provide a case of this character in which are provided simple and easily operated shelves, whereby the sizes of the pockets of the case may be varied. In the old form of mail-distributing case at present in general use the pockets are all of uniform size and capacity, so that at times it becomes necessary to utilize two or more separate pockets to receive the mail directed to a single postoffice, whereas the mail directed to another post-office may be of sulficient quantity to only partly fill one of the pockets.

In carrying out my invention I provide a novel construction wherebysheet metal, preferably sheet-steel, may be employed in building the case, and the same will be comparatively light in weight considering the nature of the material employed, exceedinglystrong, easily kept clean, and consequently sanitary. Since metal may be exclusively employed in the construction of my improved case, the same will be fireproof, which fact makes the case valuable for employment in post-offices where it is desired to reduce the danger from fire to a minimum.

In carrying out my invention I employ certain novel features of construction and the arrangement hereinafter shown, described,

and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showing the upper left-hand section of a case embodying my improved construction. Fig.

2 is a vertical section through the case, one of the shelves being in position. Fig. 3 is'a Fig. 4 is a top plan Fig. 5 is a bot- Fig. 6

is a broken plan view showing the means for supporting the shelves between the vertical partitions.

The sides, top, and bottom of the case constituting the main framel are preferably formed from a single length of sheet metal, the ends being suitably joined together by riveting or otherwise. Arranged, preferably, at equal distances apart, with their upper and lower ends riveted or otherwise secured to the top and bottom of the case, are vertical sheet-metal partitions 2, between which are supported the removable shelves 3. The sidewalls of the case and also the vertical partitionsare provided with longitudinallyextending corrugations 4. As shown in the drawings, these corrugations are S-shaped. The adjustable shelves comprise a fiat rectangular sheet-metal table-section 5, adapted to be inserted between the vertical partitions 2, the side margins at 6 having a configuration coincident with the form of the corrugations 4. Upon the lower face of the shelves are provided slidable lockingebolts 7, the ends 8 of which project laterally beyond the sides of the shelves and are adapted to enter perforations provided lengthwise of the vertical partitions. The locking-bolts are in the form of U-shaped rods 9, the arms 7 of which form the bolts proper, being guided laterally through downwardly-extending lugs 10, stamped from the body of the table-section of the shelves.

11 represents springssuitably secured adapt ed to engage the U-shaped rods 9 and spring the bolts outward. The bolts are retracted by pressing the U shaped rods together. The locking-bolts are each provided near their outer ends with a transverse pin 12, the bolt extending beyond the pin a distance equal to the thickness of the metal forming the vertical partitions. The bolts will therefore enter the perforations in the vertical partitions and maintain the shelves in position, and the same will, however, be held, on account of the transverse pins, from extending through the partitions into an adjoining pocket of the case. If the ends of the bolts were permitted to extend through the vertical partitions into the pockets of the case, the envelops upon being deposited in the pockets would strike the same and be damaged. If the bolts upon ICO opposite sides of the shelf-supports were arranged in exact alinement with each other, it is apparent that the bolts upon opposite sides of adjoining shelves would enter the same perforation. This would be the case only where both shelf-supports have the same elevation, as at a a, Fig. 1. In order that the bolts may enter the perforations provided to receive the same and so that the same will not interfere with each other in their operation, I have arranged those upon one side of the shelf-supports out of alinement with those upon the opposite side. The perforations b b b are adapted to receive the ends of the bolts extending on one side of the shelf-supports, and the perforations c c 0 those extending from the opposite side.- By this arrangement thebolts will take positions alongside of each other, and will engage the perforations without coming into contact.

13 is a wire screen arranged across the back of the case, being secured to the rear margins of the main frame, and the same is adapted to retain the mail-matter in the pockets and prevent its falling out of the back of the case. As the shelves fit snugly between the vertical partitions and since the portions 6, adapted to enter the corrugations provided upon the partitions, extend on either side of the body of the same, it is apparent that the shelves must be tilted in placing them in position. After being in position the same will be firmly held from forward or backward movement and the bolts will be guided directly into the perforations. It is apparent that the case is materially strengthened by providing the corrugations upon the vertical partitions and that as a consequence very thin sheet metal may be employed in their construction. Although I have described the vertical partitions as being formed with corrugations of specific shape and the table-sections of the shelves having engaging portions- From the foregoing it is observed that the shelves are easily inserted between the vertical partitions of the case at any desired point and that the capacity of the pockets therein may be varied at the pleasure of the user.

The novelty and utility of my invention are apparent.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a mail-distributingcase,a main frame, the vertical partitions secured within the main frame having longitudinal corrugations and provided with spaced perforations, in combination with detachable shelves having lateral marginal edges coincident in shape to the vertical partitions, the same also being provided with spring-actuated bolts adapted to enter the perforations in the vertical partitions, as set forth.

2. In a mail-distributing case, a sheet-metal main frame, the sheet-metal vertical partitions secured within the main frame provided with longitudinal corrugations and spaced perforations, in combination with detachable shelves each having a sheet-metal table-section, the marginal edges of which are coincident in shape to the vertical partitions, and having spring-actuated bolts extending on opposite sides of the table-section adapted to enter the perforations in the vertical partitions, those on one side of the table-section being out of alinement with those of the other, as set forth.

3. In a mail-distributing case, the sheetmetal main frame, the sheet-metal partitions secured within the main frame provided with longitudinal corrugations and having the perforations b, b, b and c, c, 0, the shelves having a sheet-metal table-section formed at 6 coincident to the shape of the corrugations provided upon the partitions, and having the downwardly-extending lugs 10, the bolts 7 extending therethrough, the springs 11 adapted to actuate the bolts, and the transverse pins 12 provided at the ends of the bolts 7, all arranged to operate as set forth.

In testinlonywhereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY F. W. MOHR.

Witnesses:

CARL H. KELLER, H. N. ADAMS. 

